Great Genoa dates from 1926, when 19 municipalities were added to the six municipalities incorporated in 1874.[1][2]
This aggregation makes Genoa a polycentric city, as the Genoese urban area is made up of several towns each with a strong sense of belonging, a consolidated economic and social structure and an old town, so they are not perceived as "suburbs". Reflecting the strong local identity the inhabitants of many neighborhoods, former municipality, still say "I am going to Genoa" and not "I am going downtown" to state their intention to go to the city center.[2][3][4]
^M. Spesso, G. Brancucci, "Pietre di Liguria nell’architettura di Genova – L’età del fascismo" ("The Ligurian stones in the architecture of Genoa - The age of fascism") FrancoAngeli
^P. Fusero, "Genova: periferie e centri storici : dietro le quinte della capitale europea della cultura 2004", ("Genoa: suburbs and old towns: behind the scenes of the European Capital of Culture 2004"), February 5, 2001